My older Quarter Horse bucked me off, I sustained a head injury(I was wearing a helmet) When I healed, I started riding him again. Just about one year later, he did it again. (No head injury this time) I haven't been on hi, since as it seems so unpredictable. I feel embarrassed that I'm nervous to ride this older ,normally quiet horse! My confidence is definitely "Creased"
I think you are smart, it is better to be safe than sorry. Always check saddle, body, hooves, teeth etc to make sure it is not a pain issue. But staying safe is always the right call.
What is your opinion about horses being playful versus in pain or distressed? I’ve heard veterinarians talk about things being behavioral because they can’t find a painful cause for something like bucking. I’ve recorded my horse and pause to look at facial expressions, pain ethogram expressions. He does have show signs of pain so I don’t currently ride. For other horses- how do you determine if it’s pain, play, fear, or frustration? If you think it’s playful, how do you respond and why? It’s interesting to hear from different experts.
I usually just laugh about it unless it becomes a common thing that happens. The odd buck or kick will happen, it usually isn’t anything more than a silly moment or spook, especially if it is one step. I always just go into a half seat position with a short rein if my horse bucks since that is my strongest position and I won’t get launched as easily, it feels like a jump stride instead of a buck and I can pulley rein easily.
For sure some horses do things we might not like as humans because they are full of the joys of spring, as we say. You can usually feel when a horse is having fun vs in pain. The video and pain ethogram is the way to really know, but of course we don't always have it to hand in that moment. We have to be honest and know that at best we are being detectives to try and figure out what the horse was feeling in that moment.
brilliant chat, thank you both soooo much!!
My older Quarter Horse bucked me off, I sustained a head injury(I was wearing a helmet) When I healed, I started riding him again. Just about one year later, he did it again. (No head injury this time) I haven't been on hi, since as it seems so unpredictable. I feel embarrassed that I'm nervous to ride this older ,normally quiet horse! My confidence is definitely "Creased"
No shame. It happens to more equestrians than people admit. Staying safe is nothing to be embarrassed about.
I think you are smart, it is better to be safe than sorry. Always check saddle, body, hooves, teeth etc to make sure it is not a pain issue. But staying safe is always the right call.
@@andreawady Thank you
p.s - love the autumn tones Andrea :)
What is your opinion about horses being playful versus in pain or distressed? I’ve heard veterinarians talk about things being behavioral because they can’t find a painful cause for something like bucking. I’ve recorded my horse and pause to look at facial expressions, pain ethogram expressions. He does have show signs of pain so I don’t currently ride. For other horses- how do you determine if it’s pain, play, fear, or frustration? If you think it’s playful, how do you respond and why? It’s interesting to hear from different experts.
I usually just laugh about it unless it becomes a common thing that happens. The odd buck or kick will happen, it usually isn’t anything more than a silly moment or spook, especially if it is one step. I always just go into a half seat position with a short rein if my horse bucks since that is my strongest position and I won’t get launched as easily, it feels like a jump stride instead of a buck and I can pulley rein easily.
For sure some horses do things we might not like as humans because they are full of the joys of spring, as we say. You can usually feel when a horse is having fun vs in pain. The video and pain ethogram is the way to really know, but of course we don't always have it to hand in that moment. We have to be honest and know that at best we are being detectives to try and figure out what the horse was feeling in that moment.